Multisensory Celebrations: Christmas Lights and Scents of the Season
Winter is here, and with it comes a lot of things to take in. The way Christmas lights sparkle outside, the way carols float through the air, and the way holiday foods make your mouth water. What about the smells, though? How can we include the smells of the season as much as the sights of lights on a snowy night in our Christmas celebrations?
Use lights and smells to celebrate
As you get your home ready for the holidays, you might want to pair your Christmas lights with scents that remind you of the season. You’re right! The smells that fill your home can make it even more fun to see it all lit up for the holidays.
Picture this: You come home on a cold night, and as soon as you step out of the car, your outdoor Christmas lights start to sparkle and shine. Their shimmering light danced in the dark, making patterns on the snow that were fun and festive. You open the front door and step inside. As you do, the smell of fresh pine, cinnamon, or baked gingerbread wraps around you and makes you feel welcome.
Isn’t that a memorable multisensory experience?
This is not a new idea, but it’s one that doesn’t get enough attention. When I went to a vineyard in Spain, I learned about the word “reserva.” It’s a term for wines that have been aged for at least three years, which gives their flavors more depth and complexity. Just like “reserva” wines are more than just a drink; they are a full sensory experience, the combination of Christmas lights and scents creates a fuller, richer celebration.
Lights and smells are used to balance the elements
Balance is important in everything. Too many lights or smells that are too strong can be overwhelming instead of inviting. Consider the’margins.’ Yes, I’m using a term from the graphic design classes I took in the past.
In design, margins are the blank spaces around the text that are left alone. They are just as important as the text because they let the text breathe. It’s not about getting as much as possible on the page; it’s about giving each part its own space to shine. The same is true for your Christmas lights and smells of the season. Give them space, find a good balance, and let them work together to make a beautiful and welcoming holiday atmosphere.
Where to Start: Ideas for Pairing
It’s all about capturing the spirit of the season when you pair your outdoor Christmas lights with seasonal scents. I remember an art show at a small “galerie” in Paris where lighting and smells were used to make the art more interesting. It was a life-changing event that has stayed with me and is easy to relive at home during the holidays.
Pair white Christmas lights with the smell of fresh pine to make them feel like they belong in a winter forest. For colored lights, a sweet smell like cinnamon or vanilla can give off the same happy, party-like feeling. If you have lights that blink, a light scent like lavender can help calm people down.
In the end, it’s all about making a place where people can feel happy and calm. And with your Christmas lights and holiday scents working together, you’re on your way to making a multisensory holiday experience.
Bring the party outside
Don’t just have this sensory party inside. Let your Christmas lights outside be a beacon of joy that everyone can see. Pair these with scents that are good for the outdoors. You might want to use scented candles or incense sticks safely outside. The smell of burning wood can also make you feel very holiday-like, like a yule log on Christmas Eve.
So, that’s the end of it. Your guide to putting together Christmas lights and holiday smells for a multisensory holiday experience. Remember that, just like with’reserva’ wines,’margins’ in design, and’sensory exhibits’ in ‘galerie,’ it’s all about creating an experience, an atmosphere, and making the holiday season a time of joy and peace for all your senses.
And you, my friend, can definitely make it happen. So, get your Christmas lights and your favorite holiday scents, and let the magic of the season wash over you in waves of light and smell. Enjoy!
Do-it-yourself: Add your own holiday scents
Do you remember the Christmas crafts you used to make when you were a kid? So, it’s time to get that holiday spirit back and make your own seasonal scents. Orange and cinnamon, pine and mint, vanilla and apple—the choices are endless, just like your outdoor Christmas lights that seem to twinkle forever.
Making homemade potpourri is a great thing for the whole family to do. It not only makes your home feel cozy and brings back good memories, but it also helps you make beautiful memories. Think of it as making your own “reserva,” a rich, layered scent that becomes a part of your Christmas tradition.
Putting Stories with Christmas Lights
As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, your outdoor Christmas lights make your house look magical. But that’s not the end of the magic. Every light has a story to tell, and every smell brings back a memory.
Maybe the white lights that twinkle remind you of playing in the snow as a child, making snow angels and throwing snowballs. When you smell them with fresh pine, you’re right back in those snowy woods. These lights and smells are more than just decorations; they connect you to your past and make you happier in the present.
The Last Note is a piece of music
No party that involves more than one sense is complete without music. Let your favorite holiday music play softly in the background while your Christmas lights shine brightly and your favorite scents fill the air.
You may remember the word “galerie,” which means a place where art, light, and smell come together to make a perfect symphony. Here, let the lights, smells, and music work together to make your home feel like a “galerie” that comes to life.
Immersive experiences are a gift to you and yours
Let’s change the way we celebrate this holiday season. We can’t just sit back and enjoy the holidays anymore. It’s time to use all of our senses and jump right into the fun. Adding holiday scents to your Christmas lights is a deep and immersive way to celebrate the season.
Putting together an experience like this is a very personal thing to do. Just like a graphic designer carefully creates “margins” for balance and breathing room or a winemaker carefully makes “reserva” for a richer experience, you can turn the holiday season into a work of art by carefully matching lights and scents.
So, when you put up your Christmas lights outside this year, think about the smells that will make your holiday bright and special. Find the right balance, make an atmosphere, and most of all, enjoy every moment. After all, the holidays are a time of warmth, happiness, and being with family and friends.
And remember that YOU are the most important part of this journey. Your memories, your choices, your joy. So, enter this holiday season with a twinkle in your eye and a scent in your heart. After all, Christmas isn’t just about seeing things; it’s about feeling everything it has to offer.
